When you arrive for your first day, you may feel absolutely overwhelmed. Please know that it is normal to feel this way, as you are taking a very big step into the unknown!

Arriving at the treatment center

Typically, you will arrive for your first day of eating disorder treatment in the morning. When you arrive, we will greet you and ease you into treatment. You will meet with a number of key people on your first day, including the following:

A nurse for a physical assessment and labs

A medical doctor for a medical assessment and to review any complications, issues or specific needs

Your treatment team (psychiatrist, therapist and dietitian)

A business office representative to discuss insurance benefits, payment and other details

Our staff will also show you around our facilities on your first day, offering you a tour, so that you can feel more comfortable and know where things are. We will help you and make sure that you get all of the information you need.

If you feel like you can’t take in everything all at once on your first day, we understand. As the first days go by, you will begin to develop a routine and will have opportunities to ask us any questions that you may have. Also, please be aware that intake processes and procedures do vary by location.

Meeting with your treatment team

When it comes to your treatment team, we do our best to match you with providers that are the best fit for you. Every patient has different needs and goals, and we are proud to have a diverse group of clinicians and staff — with different strengths and areas of expertise — at each of our eating disorder clinics.

During your first meeting with your treatment team, we will start to develop a working relationship with you and will review your goals. This is a great time for you to ask us any questions that you have.

Your first meal in treatment

On your first day, you will have lunch with some of our staff members and other patients. Following this meal, you will meet with your dietitian to discuss meal planning and to select your menu plans for the week.

We know how challenging this part of treatment can be, but mealtimes and meal planning are some of the most important aspects of eating disorder treatment. We will support you the entire time you are with us and you will have many opportunities to process both positive and negative experiences in individual and group therapy. We want, and expect, you to take an active role in your care.

Meeting others at the treatment center

You may wonder about the types of people that you will be in care with. We are proud to serve a diverse population of patients and believe that therapeutic growth deepens when you encounter and develop relationships with people from different life experiences and backgrounds.

We see benefits to mixing age groups together, although adults (18 and up) are housed in separate areas from our child and adolescent patients (ages 8 to 18). Adults of all ages room together and share meals and therapeutic groups.

Males and females also work together in therapeutic groups and eat together, although they do room separately. Some of our centers offer groups specifically for males with eating disorders.

We take each room request individually, depending on our availability and your preference. Our Partial Hospitalization apartments will require you to have a roommate and some of our housing options are supervised.

How long treatment lasts

You are a unique person and will have your own individual response to treatment. Thus, there is no way to know in advance how long you will be here with us in treatment. Having said that, the average length of stay is six to eight weeks. Of course, you could be with us for a shorter or longer amount of time. Your length of stay at our eating disorder treatment center depends on a number of factors. At times, it could even depend on insurance benefits or other financial issues.

We will work closely with you, each day, to assess your situation and make the most responsible, ethical and honest treatment recommendations — honing in on the best level of care for you at each stage. No matter what happens, we will do our best to prepare you for success at each level of care to help you get on your best path to a sustainable recovery.

Let us know what you need

We are honored that you have put your faith and trust in us and we promise to be right by your side, supporting you, on your first day — and every day while you are here in treatment.

A note about our program: We’d like to point out that this article discusses what to expect in our 24-hour residential care program. Your experience in other levels of care, including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient will differ. In addition, we have a number of centers in locations across the country. Therapy offerings and other details will differ by location. Let us know if you have any additional questions about what to expect when you arrive for treatment at ERC.

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I am seeking treatment for: *

Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you worry you have lost control over how much or how little you eat? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin? *

OftenSometimesNever

Have you recently lost or gained weight? *

YesNo

Would you say that food dominates your life? *

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How did you first hear about us? *

Which center are you interested in? *

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If you have government insurance (Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare), we first need to speak with the case manager at your insurance company. Rather than completing this form, please have your case manager contact us at 1-877-920-2902.

Learn about additional treatment options and resources that you may be eligible for here.

I am seeking treatment for:: *

Do you struggle with feelings of hopelessness? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you struggle with concentrating or being able to complete tasks? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you prefer to be alone rather than with friends or family? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you struggle with getting out of bed in the morning? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you feel inadequate or worthless? *

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Do you patient feel sad/tearful more days than not? *

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What type of insurance do you carry? *

Select your state *

How did you first hear about us? *

Which center are you interested in? *

Your Personal Information

First Name: *

Last Name: *

Email Address: *

Phone Number: *

()-First three digitsSecond three digitsLast four digits

Okay to Leave Voice Message?:

If you have government insurance (Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare), we first need to speak with the case manager at your insurance company. Rather than completing this form, please have your case manager contact us at 1-877-920-2902.

Learn about additional treatment options and resources that you may be eligible for here.

I am seeking treatment for:: *

Do you feel out of control around food? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you eat until you feel uncomfortable or sick? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you find that you use food as a comfort? *

OftenSometimesNever

Do you eat/snack mindlessly throughout the day? *

OftenSometimesNever

Have you gained more than 15 lbs in the last 6 months? *

YesNo

What type of insurance do you carry? *

Select your state *

How did you first hear about us? *

Which center are you interested in? *

Your Personal Information

First Name: *

Last Name: *

Email Address: *

Phone Number: *

()-First three digitsSecond three digitsLast four digits

If you have government insurance (Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare), we first need to speak with the case manager at your insurance company. Rather than completing this form, please have your case manager contact us at 1-877-920-2902.

Learn about additional treatment options and resources that you may be eligible for here.

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"If I could pick one thing that Eating Recovery Center taught me, it would definitely be 'fearless.' You gave me the recovery tools to run after my problems, to catch them, and solve the issue. I am able to celebrate my body with kindness and passion. Thank you, Eating Recovery Center for not only saving my life but, for giving me a full life of gratitude. Thank you!”

Sara B.

former Eating Recovery Center patient

“Eating Recovery Center of Washington helped me realize there is life beyond my eating disorder. They reminded me that recovery doesn’t have to be perfect. I work hard every day to maintain recovery. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”

Megan C.

former Eating Recovery Center Washington patient

When it comes to lasting recovery, the most critical element is experience. Between Drs. Weiner, Bishop, Bermudez and myself, there are no surprises in caring for patients with eating disorders. The benefit to patients and families is our ability to construct treatment plans that not only get patients well, but help them stay well after leaving Eating Recovery Center.

Dr. Craig Johnson

Chief Clinical Officer

I am so impressed with ERC’s programs. The level of expertise and professionalism of the staff is exceptional. Staff are compassionate and competent.

Margo D., PhD

Eating Disorder Professional

The facilities are beautiful, the staff are engaged, happy and extremely knowledgeable and the experience you offer other professionals is valuable. Several aspects of the treatment stood out for me. Number one is that treatment is closely aligned with the best available current scientific evidence. I was also impressed that you are adding to the body of scientific evidence by engaging in research. I found your “Pillars of Recovery” very insightful and again, in line with current research and thinking about eating disorders. Finally, I was very impressed with your transitional care and coordination of care to a “home team.” The communication with the outpatient home team that you provide is crucial to the recovery process. Great job, Eating Recovery Center!

Therese W.

Eating Disorder Professional

In the fall of 2009, a gentleman called my office requesting that I see his daughter for a consult. Prior to our first visit, he informed me that they, the parents, had decided to place their daughter in the Eating Recovery Center, and he asked my opinion. At that time I was only marginally familiar with Eating Recovery Center, and in addition, I did not know his daughter or her needs and had never worked with a client returning from Eating Recovery Center. She returned to me in February 2010 prepared to finish her recovery in the outpatient setting. She received excellent care at Eating Recovery Center and is currently in a state of full recovery. Experience teaches us that the risk of relapse increases when clients integrate back into their life after inpatient treatment. My client received the tools and had an opportunity to practice them in the Eating Recovery Center environment which enabled her to develop, nurture and integrate them in the outpatient setting. She is currently in a state of full recovery from her eating disorder and she is living a joyful life, one she never thought she could have.

Recently visited Eating Recovery Center and I now have a good understanding and appreciation of the program and why it is successful in helping people recover from eating disorders:

Eating Recovery Center has phenomenal team of professionals who are leaders in the industry. They are passionate about their work and they collaborate well through a multidisciplinary approach for the benefit of those who suffer from eating disorders. They have created a comprehensive treatment program that spans the continuum of needs crossing all ages, cultures, sexes, and levels of care and the protocol is implemented in a caring, nurturing environment.

Eating Recovery Center’s bio-psychosocial philosophy of treatment is based on science and research findings.

From a business perspective, I appreciate the fact that doctors own Eating Recovery Center and make the decisions which include keeping an eye on the bottom line, making it an affordable option for my clients.

Eating Recovery Center provided the on-site visit which made it possible for me to view the clinical facilities and its operation, speak with various personnel and get a feel for the business philosophy, thus giving me the confidence to refer clients to them.

My Professional Relations Manager is not only available and willing to help, she is also proficient, personable, fun and genuinely friendly. She has answered numerous questions over the past year with professional efficiency.

Elisabeth P.

Registered Dietitian

As an outpatient provider, I appreciate the emphasis that ERC places on empirically validated, cutting edge treatment approaches. ERC is the benchmark for excellence in eating disorder treatment.

Sam L.

Licensed Professional Counselor

I had the pleasure of working with Eating Recovery Center staff recently as they took care of one of my clients. Typically when I send someone to inpatient treatment, I don’t hear a word from the facility’s staff but Eating Recovery Center was on the ball with making sure my client’s outpatient team was in the loop during treatment and especially just prior to discharge. My description of Eating Recovery Center: thorough, professional, cutting-edge, holistic, dedicated to relapse prevention and 100% cooperative with the outpatient team. I will be sending patients here again and again and again!

Allison C.

Eating Disorder Professional

ERC offers a complete program by utilizing a variety of services: inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and residential. I am impressed by the treatment given to eating disorder clients that includes tracking “temperament” and “character.” DBT seems to leave out many factors including self-directedness. After hearing Dr. Bishop speak [about ERC treatment philosophies], I am motivated to learn more about ACT.

Sharon P.

Eating Disorders Professional

I am very impressed with the programs at Eating Recovery Center. The facilities are among the most well designed and thoughtful clinical environments. It was obvious, from the start of my visit, that the staff and clinicians are dedicated, motivated and well-trained. After spending two days visiting, the most impressive aspect of the Center is the details and structure of the programs for eating disorders treatment – it is some of the most progressive and forward-thinking treatment that can be found. This is clearly one of the most clinically advanced centers, utilizing approaches and strategies for care that are top notch. This program has everything you could ask for in a treatment center.

Theresa L.

Eating Disorder Professional

I found that visiting Eating Recovery Center and having the opportunity to observe the program was invaluable to me as an outpatient clinician. I feel very comfortable referring a patient to Eating Recovery Center after the visit. It is obvious that their primary focus is first and foremost patient care, which aligns perfectly with my own values as a provider.

Susan G.

Eating Disorder Professional

As a referring professional, I feel confident sending my patients to Eating Recovery Center knowing that its staff is knowledgeable and trained to care for them both emotionally and medically with a balanced approach.

Beth H.

Eating Disorder Professional

The facilities are beautiful, the staff are engaged, happy and extremely knowledgeable and the experience you offer other professionals is valuable. Several aspects of the treatment stood out for me. Number one is that treatment is closely aligned with the best available current scientific evidence. I was also impressed that you are adding to the body of scientific evidence by engaging in research. I found your “Pillars of Recovery” very insightful and again, in line with current research and thinking about eating disorders. Finally, I was very impressed with your transitional care and coordination of care to a “home team.” The communication with the outpatient home team that you provide is crucial to the recovery process. Great job, Eating Recovery Center!

Therese W.

Eating Disorder Professional

I was absolutely blown away… Eating Recovery Center is miles above other treatment centers with the amount of expertise and research they have put into the program.

Brina J., RD

eating disorder professional

We don’t reinvent the wheel where your patient is concerned. We facilitate an ongoing dialogue with referring professionals to tap into the resources and knowledge that was accumulated prior to the patient admitting, and we build on that knowledge to ensure we’re treating everything necessary to support a lasting recovery.

Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Organizations that earn the Gold Seal of Approval™ have met or exceeded The Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards to obtain this distinctive and internationally recognized accreditation. Learn more about this accreditation here.